Turkish foreign minister to visit Israel
Turkey-Israel, Politics, 6/25/1998

Turkish sources in Cairo told ArabicNews.com that Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will begin a three-day official visit to Israel on July 6.

The sources said Cem will will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and high-ranking Israeli officials.

The visit comes at a time in which Turkey criticized Israel over the Israeli plan to tighten its control over Jerusalem. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the decision to expand Jerusalem does not contribute to stability or peace in the Middle East.

Turkish sources said, "Israel and Turkey will enhance the military agreement between them and the establishment of cooperation in the water, electricity and energy fields."

During his visit, Cem will also pay a several-hour visit to Gaza where he is to meet with Palestinian officials.

The sources stated that Cem will also meet with the Israeli president and hold talks with Israeli Trade and Industry Minister Natan Sharanski who previously visited Ankara in March.

The visit of the Turkish minister comes in reply to an official visit, paid by former Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy to Turkey in April 1997. Chairman of the Israel Knesset Dan Tichon also made va isit to Turkey that lasted for several days by the beginning of February at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Hekmet Cetin.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian - Turkish meeting today   (6/24/1998)
  Syrian deputy foreign minister to visit Ankara in July   (6/17/1998)
  Turkey not to sabotage ties with Israel for the sake of Arabs   (6/15/1998)

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